Nissan Maxima owners have reported 3 problems related to engine burning oil (under the engine and engine cooling category). The most recently reported issues are listed below. Also please check out the statistics and reliability analysis of Nissan Maxima based on all problems reported for the Maxima.
The car heavily burns oil, this car as well as many other cars in the Nissan line-up were given the vq35de motor which is well known for burning oil. I am required to change my oil every 3000 miles because it burns a lot of oil. I fill up the engine 5 quarts which is above recommended because I don't want to risk running my engine dry of oil because it gets burned. Every 3000 miles I get rid of about 2. 8 quarts when I start off with 5 quarts each oil change. I only do city driving and not long distance driving. Many other Nissan vehicles are also plagued with this oil burning issue.
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all problems of the 2003 Nissan Maxima
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Excessive engine oil consumption at 150. 000 miles.
The 2002-2003 Nissan Maxima are known to be burning engine oil. There is also a significant flaw which makes the car leak engine oil through the valve covers into the spark plugs and with the ignition system close by, there is potential for fire in these vehicles. Nissan of north America is not helping or willing to resolve this issue and shrugs customers by saying its normal. It is not normal to have lost 3/4th of your engine oil by the time next oil change is due !.